The Sunday Roast

Now Look Betsy, Five Men In Your Life Is A Trifle Greedy!

"Five men", did she say? Must look at the situation in black and white and perhaps all will be explained in due course LOL

And listen folks! This gal posts daily.

I have to tell you that Blogger has been misbehaving deplorably and this poor lass was almost roasted alive and served as a burnt offering! Blogger caused me to have tremendous culinary problems, with ingredients and cooking utensils flying all over the kitchen.  Shame you could not have seen Eddie running round in circles trying to fix the roast and steam coming out of his ears and nostrils LOL. I am so pleased I did not incinerate you, Betsy!

This week's interview is with Betsy,who writes the blog, My Five Men .

Thank you for the interview, Betsy

A very warm welcome to you and your followers

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

I had a best friend who blogged and encouraged me to join in. She had moved out of state and wasn't a big email or phone person, so it was a way to stay in contact with her. I wasn't interested in Facebook at all and blogging was very intriguing to me. After enjoying her blog for over a year I decided to give it a try. I immediately fell in love with the whole thing from putting my thoughts down in a concrete way to connecting with people from all over the world.

What's the story behind your blog name?

I have five men in my life ~ my husband and four sons. It's also a running joke in our household that I'm surrounded by men! We even have a rabbit and a parakeet that are males, as were all of our previous pets. What a switch after growing up with only sisters!

(Glad you explained that, Betsy, I was beginning to get a little worried LOL)

What is the best thing about being a blogger?
 
I'm sure most people say that it's the community and would certainly agree with that! I enjoy several groups of bloggers from (1.) the general group that I find captivating and interesting and even different from me (opposites attract, you know!) to (2.) a group of parents with autistic children (I have autistic triplet boys) and that bond and support we give each other, to (3.) a few bloggers that seem to have taken a deeper interest in me. They phone, email, encourage and love me. I would have never met them outside of blogging!

(I agree - blogging is a way of life actually. It's a great vehicle for making friends and communicating and in my case, hopefully, making people laugh which I love doing. I have some really great bloggy pals out there and today I was delighted to see that David McMahon of Authorblog has returned to BlogLand)

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

That blogging doesn't have any rules! Don't get sucked into the idea that you must post something new every day or even every week. It's supposed to be fun! I'd also encourage them to seek out new friends. The easiest way to do that is by clicking on your own interests on your profile page and letting blogger show you others with that same interest.

(Great idea! I have not done that yet - thanks, Betsy)


What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

That without a doubt it would be this post Nella Cordelia: A Birth Story by Kelle Hampton from Enjoying the Small Things. It's the birth story of her second daughter who was born unexpectedly with Downs Syndrome. It's a beautiful story with gorgeous photography and I've been following her blog ever since. She's a gorgeous, "glass half full" kind of girl and awesome photographer. Her journey encourages me since I'm a 'special needs' mom myself. Go take a read...you won't be disappointed...but don't forget the Kleenex! :) Her story is also featured in the October 2010 issue of Parent's Magazine!

(This is a must read and crumbs this gal has 7,685 followers!)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

Well, that is rather difficult after posting daily for almost three years! But there are a few that mean something more to me than others. Currently a significant one is Theme Thursday = Mystery where I talk about how I view myself living through difficult circumstances, hurt and disappointment. In fact, it was through discussing this post with a writer friend that I've been encouraged to write a book about how I've tried to make lemonade when life hands me lemons. If I could inspire other people to take a positive approach to life through my story, then I think that would be really great! And on a completely different topic and something that is usually a surprise to others is this post Repro Girl or A Brush With Danger for Theme Thursday where I talk about my job working as a 'repo girl' almost 20 years ago. Interesting and fun to say the least!

Which two blogs would you recommend for roasting?

I would like to see you roast Alan from News From Nowhere . He's a smart, funny, British chap with a wonderful, wide variety of interests. He has a great talent for putting his thoughts into words. And secondly, I also enjoy Tracey from Unos, Dos, Tracey . She's a smart, talented mother with a wonderful knack for writing amusing, insightful posts.

(They both look fantastic blogs, Betsy. Thank you - I will invite them onto the SR and include Kelle as well)

That concludes the formal aspect of the interview but it would be nice to get to know you a little better while you are slowly turning on the roasting spit. So while you are screaming in agony above the open fire here are a few more questions for you.

Pick three things you can't live without.

Coffee, Sunglasses, and a Sense of Humor.

(I'll drink to these choices. A sense of humour (spelt properly because I am English LOL) is vital in this life and helps us all get through the day. My grandmother used to say, "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone" - true!)

If you were an ice cream cone, which flavour would you prefer and who would you most want to lick you?

Mmm. Well, first of all I must say that I love ice cream! It almost made the cut on my 'three things you can't live without' list above! And secondly, I must say that the best ice cream I've ever had was from a little Haagen-Dazs Stand up on Lake Michigan. The flavor was Turtle and it was super dark chocolate ice cream packed with big chocolate chunks, caramel and praline pecans. I ate a double waffle cone every night for a week while we were there! But to answer your question, even with all the fantastic flavors of ice cream in the world, did you know that Vanilla is still the most popular flavor? So, if I had to be a flavor, I think I would pick Vanilla! After all, who wouldn't want the most licks, right? LOL!

(Isn't this question naughty? I deserve to have my knuckles rapped LOL. But I agree Vanilla is superb! Here in England we have Cornish vanilla ice cream - yummy!)

Describe in one sentence your perfect day.

That would have to be a day being completely pampered in a spa...full body massage, sauna, facial, and pedicure while sipping a glass of wine.... yummy, healthy meals served to me....and definitely no cell phone to jolt me back into reality! :)

(Definitely no phone!! agreed!)

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Well, I've had a lot of them, Eddie! But I'll give you just one. While in college, my husband-to-be and I took a road trip from Columbus, Ohio to Kansas City, MO to visit my sister and her family. On the way, he "popped the question" and gave me a beautiful ring! Further on the way, we stopped for a break and I came out of the restroom with my zipper down on my jeans! Embarrassing for me and a little awkward for him to point it out to me! And to make it worse...a few hours later at the next rest stop...I did it again! LOL! Obviously, I was distracted by that sparkly diamond on my hand! haha.

(LOL . . . but I bet you didn't do it a third time! . . . . or did you?)

. . . . and if you are really brave, if you awoke to find you had changed gender what would be the first and second things you would do?

Ha ha...well, this question cracked me up! And the first thing that popped into my mind was Tom Hanks in the movie Big. Well, he didn't change gender, but he "grew up" overnight. He ran and looked the in the mirror and then looked in his underwear. I'd do the same thing! Who wouldn't do that, right? :) Then, I would probably scream or faint! Or maybe that would be my husband that would scream or faint? Ha ha!

(I expect you would have a 'duet scream' LOL . . . or should I say 'sextet scream' with you, an additional fella, screaming in harmony with your five guys! Might just catch on and be a hit!)


Your turn to ask me a question if you wish.

OK. Eddie, what was the most interesting job you ever had?

Without doubt, Betsy, my ambulance days as a driver and attendant. I did this for five years before I had to retire through injury to my hip caused by an awkward carry chair lift. I developed arthritis and had a total hip replacement in February. I loved caring for people and helping them and I did learn to comfort them sometimes and to amuse them sometimes. Occasionally I had them in hysterics, or should I say 'in stitches' LOL. I also became good friends with my regular patients, most of whom had kidney problems and I took them into hospital for dialysis three times a week. When a friend died, as they did often, we all were sad and I attended many funerals.  I 'lost' so many patients one month I was knick-named 'The Terminator'.  I had to see the funny side. Although I am officially 'retired' currently I am driving a minibus, nicknamed The Red Baron, (call me Eddie von Richthofen LOL) and have the same rapport with my regular passengers, all elderly. Love the job to bits. Right up my street after the ambulance job. . . . and I am pleased to say I can keep up with the youngsters even with an artificial hip.

Let's take a look at your blog screen - very attractive. I love the blue tit and the wording to the right.  Also I notice you after a nice cuppa to your visitors - mine is a coffee with just milk and no sugar - thanks.

"Thank you so much Eddie! - I really enjoyed doing this interview with you."

And thank you Betsy for your interview and your recommendations. Glad blogger finally 'allowed' me to post it - phew it was hot in the kitchen today!

_____________________________________________
Today's Sunday Roast with "My Five Men" is the 137th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
_____________________________________________
This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour for all published Roasts. To view please press HERE
_____________________________________________

Blogger Overcooked the Sunday Roast

Hi Folks

Blogger has been up to it's old tricks again.

The roast is ruined and the oven overcooked it and spilt over onto my sidebar.

There are ingredients mixed up all over the place and steam everywhere - mostly coming out of my ears and nostrils!!  Blogger has a mind of its own sometimes as we all know.

Do not believe anything blogger says on my sidebar about a phantom roast - it does not exist yet.

Excuse me whilst I marinate blogger!!  That's better!!

Please bear with me and Betsy's Roast will appear as soon as possible.

Waiter! Where's the roast? I ordered it a week ago!

WHERE IS IT!!!

Bon Appetite. LOL

Calling All High Flyers

I posted this Airplane Sketch on my other blog, Plato's Procrastinations, which is full of stuff like this. I think this hilarious video deserves a wider audience since Dave Allen is a hoot and this sketch really touched my 'funny bone'.

Dave Allen, was an Irish comedian who appeared on millions of TV screens throughout the UK and was a household name in the 70s and 80s.  Enjoy!

The Sunday Roast

It’s Easy Being Green When You’re A Frog With A Blog! 

or:  It’s a Frog’s Life

Says my guest, "Behind every Happy Frog there’s a bottle of red wine and a glass. 

All those in favour say ‘I’!"

Froggy on the move – 80s Rewind Festival

Caption - Do you think Happy Frog got the point? I do!

This froggy bloggy follows last week's roast post when we featured Jazz with her froggy avatar,  Michigan. Any relation I wonder LOL??

This week's interview is with I
who writes the blog, Happy Frog And I

Thank you for the interview, I 

 

A very warm welcome to you and Happy Frog and your followers

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

There are so many reasons why I blog and I am always thinking of new ones.  I was first encouraged to start a blog by wendy house.  It was quite a while after she first suggested the idea, however, that I went for it.  I’d had quite a few tough things to deal with and was just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I thought starting a predominantly positive and happy blog would be a good move for me.  The blog continues to change and evolve and I seem to have enough ideas to take me through to 2013 so I am really enjoying it.

The community aspect and support offered by bloggers is wonderful and I find it very cathartic.  There are many generous, creative and caring people out there, which is fantastic. 

I have gained so many new approaches and different ways of setting down my thoughts and ideas.  These include the 100 Word posts of  Mr London Street, which I have so far only used as an exercise but plan to put up my own in the future; the Three Beautiful Things (3BTs) that Clare posts daily, which she knows inspired me to do a monthly round up of positive things on my blog; the photos that tell their own stories in so many blogs, but in particular in the Heyokah and Kitty’s Bloggy Bits blogs.  They have inspired me to try and do better with my photography for myself and also for the blog. 

I love the discipline of ensuring there are 3 posts ready to go each week.  I’d stopped creating for several years so this has been a lovely way to get back into it again.   

What's the story behind your blog name?

At the time I started the blog, Happy Frog was the smiley one and I was hopeful that I could get back to being my usual smiley, optimistic self.  But I wasn’t quite there yet.

I love films and one in particular that has always made me laugh with its witty and memorable quotes is Withnail and I.  Since he hopped into my life, I’ve found Froggy Frog Frogton (Happy Frog) a bit of an inspiration, especially if I’m away in a hotel room on my own for work and/or feeling down – who can resist that massive smile?!  So the name Happy Frog and I (Tales from the Lilypad) seemed right. 

I liked the fact that in Withnail and I we never get to find out the real name of I.  It added a bit of mystery.  Once I get to know fellow bloggers I do often let them know my real name though, so I’m not very good at being enigmatic myself!

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

For me it is being inspired by fantastic people to try new ways of releasing my creativity.   

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

I am a newbie blogger so I’ll tell you a few things I’ve learnt over the last 8 months.  This advice mainly relates to personal blogs where you aren’t looking to make any money out of them but you want to do something for yourself that others may enjoy. 

Personally, I think it is bad form (or should that be ‘netiquette’?) to put people’s real names in your blog posts unless they have said they are happy for you to do so.

I would heartily recommend turning to and getting in touch with other bloggers for advice.  They won’t bite in my experience and everyone I have communicated with has been very helpful and encouraging. 

Always let great writing and ideas in other blogs inspire you rather than put you off writing yourself.  Try not to get disheartened if you have a long period of time where hardly anyone comments on your blog, or you can’t think of anything to write.  Don’t become childish in a bad way and let that stop you following others or leaving comments on other blogs.  Try to respond to people who take the time to comment on your blog; it is appreciated.  If you lose your way, remind yourself why you started blogging in the first place. 

Never be afraid to change your vision of your blog and where it is going whenever you want to.  It’s your blog!  When I first started I envisaged a large part of the blog being about Happy Frog’s travels to far flung places courtesy of anyone who wanted to take him and send back photos (a bit like the gnome in the 2001 film Amelie).  However, my vision of the blog has changed and continues to shift the more I see other blogs and have different ideas, which I find very refreshing and enjoyable.

If you feel a bit bogged down and want to take a bit of a break from blogging, do it!  You are likely to come back feeling full of ideas and raring to go instead of feeling resentful that blogging is taking over your life. 

So, to sum up in a sentence, try to remember that you can’t please all the people all the time, so just have fun with it. 

 

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

This is a really hard question for me as I’ve read a lot of blog posts that have been significant to me for different reasons.  Also, the one that instantly popped into my head (Happy Pills by Mr London Street) has already been (quite rightly) mentioned before by other Sunday Roast participants. 

One that I think about and revisit every so often was written by Lo over at It’s Always Something.  It was entitled ‘back to the kitchen and fireplace’.  Lo managed to discuss good times and bad times in her marriage, a Bridget Jones food moment and the minutiae of life so well in the space of one post.  I found it significant because her writing has helped me put a lot of my past experiences into perspective and to ponder on the good as well as the bad without being too sentimental.  She strikes me as an incredible woman who has really lived her life and has been through a lot this year alone.  I’m so glad that she is blogging about her past and her present. 

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I liked an unanticipated off-shoot of my first and, at the time of writing, only meme post entitled A list of 30 things I like.  A couple of people who commented thanked me for making them aware of what vitiligo is (a condition I developed out of nowhere in 2005). 

At the moment, I think the most significant blog post I’ve written is called A Difficult Journey.  It’s a truthful account of a holiday I took several years ago and the subsequent fall out.  I had been mulling over how to write it for months and then suddenly one day it popped out while I was attempting to write something else.  The significance is there because it is quite personal to me and yet it resonated with quite a few people, some of whom emailed me rather than commented.  Some of the comments and emails I received really moved me.  It has given me the confidence to explore that side of me within my writing in the future.

(See what I did there Eddie, sneaked in two when you only asked for one – positively shameless!)

(No just typical of your gender LOL - none of you can count!)

Which two blogs would you recommend for roasting?

Right, this is going to be very hard for me to do as there are so many blogs/bloggers I would want to recommend for roasting. 

I have not met either of these bloggers but would love to know more about them.  The first is Amelia who writes the blog 101 Bird Tales.  I find her and her blog posts a real inspiration, as do many other readers.  Often when I read her posts I can feel the excitement that Amelia clearly feels when she is sharing ideas on how to be creative just bubbling through the posts.  She has just had her first solo exhibition, she offers courses to help anyone who wants to become more creative, she gives free ideas of how to express your thoughts in a different way on her posts and she has recently run a competition to give funds to people who wished to spend the money on a creative project.   Yet that really is just the tip of the iceberg.  Do please look at her blog if you haven’t already.

The second is Forgotten Old Photos which is run by a lovely lady (I know her name but don’t feel right about putting it here without her permission as it isn’t in her blog profile) who also has a blog called Far Side of Fifty.  I love the concept of finding boxes of old photographs left discarded in antique shops, putting a different one onto the website each day and trying to reunite descendants with their family photos.  She has had several successes and I love those moments when we get to hear about a photo that has made it home safely after all these years.  She recently posted her 300^th photo; the time has just flown by!
 

That concludes the formal aspect of the interview but it would be nice to get to know you a little better while you are slowly turning on the roasting spit.  So while you are screaming in agony above the open fire here are a few more questions for you.
 
Pick three things you can't live without.
 

Hope, optimism and love.  Or, if I need to be a little more practical and a little less conceptual in my choices then I would say chocolate, nice tea and hair conditioner.

(What about poor Mr Froggy LOL? He'll be 'hopping' mad!)

If we were to make a movie about BlogLand, what would it be and who would you cast in the leading roles?

As someone who is quite interested in Sartre’s vision of existential humanism, rather than the other 3 versions I have seen expressed, my initial thoughts had gravitated towards a remake of The Matrix.  However, when I really thought about it I realised it wasn’t quite right. 

I need a film in which some of the key protagonists might change their names for the best of reasons and intentions; where the characters often stumble across help and interesting insights when they least expect it; where community spirit is a daily way of life that could ultimately overcome all; where the urge to express yourself is always nurtured and encouraged. 

So I came to the conclusion it would have to be an adaptation of Sister Act.  I had considered calling it ‘Caught In The Sister Act – A Guilty Pleasure’ until my husband (who has an annoying habit of always being right) noted that this sounded like a lesbian porn flick.  Having brought this unforeseen interpretation to my attention, I thought it wise not to recommend any fellow bloggers for the casting couch.

If you could live your life again who would you be, and why?
 

This question makes my head hurt!  The obvious answer is I would want to live my life over again as myself because all the successes, failures, lessons learnt, friends and family gained and lost have made me who I am today.  While this is true, I like to problem solve so there may be a better way of answering this question.

As the question doesn’t categorically state I can only live my life again once, the permutations are huge regarding how many different lives I could live before I went back to living my current life again.  I’d love to live lots of different lives in various cultural states and then remember them so that I could have a much better understanding of humanity in my final life as me and hopefully find it easier to communicate with and understand better the motivations of others.

You have been given a wonderful talent from above.  This causes you to make your mark on humanity and be world famous. In which area would prefer: a best selling novelist, a brilliant artist, a gifted musician, a fantastic singer, a charismatic leader, anything you choose, and why? 

I would love to be a gifted musician; that would be amazing.  I would like to be able to play lots of different instruments really well such as the piano, guitar, harp and oboe.   Music can reach and move all types of people around the world without the barriers that language can often create despite the best of translations and intentions.  All I can currently play is a treble recorder and a kazoo (though not at the same time!).

If you were an ice cream cone, which flavour would you prefer and who would you most want to lick you?

The ice cream I would choose to perch on top of the cone would be Earl Grey flavour, specifically from mya lacarte.  I cannot stand Earl Grey, I think it smells of perfume and tastes horrific, but my other half loves it and that’s all you need to know really!   

(Last part - nicely side stepped)

Describe in one sentence your perfect day.
 

After waking up late in a boutique hotel situated near the seaside, following a long and deep sleep, I enjoy a long vegetarian brunch with my other half, which includes copious amounts of English Breakfast tea (Earl Grey for him), after which I successfully write a funny, eccentric episode of my first ever sitcom, read and comment on some excellent blogs, go for a long walk, head to a fantastic restaurant where I can sample lovely food and red wine, before retiring to bed where there are chocolates on my pillow, and looking forward to more of the same the next day.

[Ok, it’s more of a paragraph then a sentence, but I’m hoping you’ll let me get away with it Eddie!]

If you were a fictional writer which one would you be and why?

Hmmm, this is a tricky one.  If I could go back in time to when he was alive I quite fancy being William Shakespeare as I would love to know how he felt when creating so much amazing work and what his thought processes were.  Otherwise, under the same proviso, I think I’d like to be Beatrix Potter as I love her illustrations and children’s books and would be very happy if I was able to think, draw and write as creatively as her. 

(Talking of frogs Beatrix Potter wrote about a great character, Jeremy Fisher!  Are you sure you are not her?)

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Goodness me, so many stories, only one asked for.  This could be tricky!  I’ll have to go for several moments in one afternoon.

One that particularly springs to mind that I haven’t yet mentioned on the blog was the time I went to South Wales for a long weekend with my university motorcycle club back in May 1997.  I had only passed my test in October the previous year and had picked up my new (to me) Kawasaki 500cc motorbike with twin after market exhausts the week before.  The seat was a bit higher than my previous 250cc bike and it was a heavier vehicle, but I was very happy with it.

I am notorious for being unable to find my way.  I often do not realise where I am in relation to where I need to get to and constantly get lost; I always have been that way, always will.  After we had been travelling for quite a while and had reached Wales I really needed to go to the toilet.  It was just fields and bushes everywhere as far as the eye could see.  My fellow motorcyclists kept telling me to hold on, we were nearly there, but after a while I had to stop.  Having parked up the bike, removed my helmet and sorted out my leathers I settled myself behind a bush and relieved myself.  After I had finished I felt as if someone was watching me from behind.  I turned round quickly and let out a torrent of verbal abuse, convinced that one of my fellow bikers was spying on me for a prank.  The poor sheep I had sworn at looked pretty mortified, I can tell you, while its mate gave me an evil look before knocking over my helmet in disgust. 

That wasn’t the worst of it though.  Firstly, I had to explain to my fellow bikers why they had heard me swearing so loudly.  Then I had to watch them fall over laughing at me.  Within ten minutes of setting off back on the road we reached a village and everyone pulled over and stopped.  They then all walked into a tea room to use their facilities and stop for tea and cake.  Apparently, we had been driving the long way round and round this village and I was the only one who hadn’t realised.  They had duped me and duped me good.  

When I thought the trip could not get any more embarrassing, I went to park up at the youth hostel where we were staying and didn’t see a pothole to my left.  Down went my foot and down and down.  Over went the bike, with me pinned underneath it.  When the gales of laughter eventually died down I was helped up.  I never lived it down.

. . . . and if you are really brave, if you awoke to find you had changed gender what would be the first and second things you would do?

  

I would probably think at first that I had been reading too much Iain M. Banks books where people in the culture can change gender whenever they want to.  So firstly, I’d pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.  If I didn’t let out a girly high pitched scream as per usual I would know it was true. 

Secondly, I’d check if my other half had also changed gender, as I now know that on occasion things aren’t always just about me and this could all be some strange experiment gone wrong.  If he had changed gender as well I’m pretty sure the first thing I’d do is make him shave his legs!

Your turn to ask me a question if you wish.

I am a massive fan of history in all its manifestations but particularly the social side, so I’d like to know if you could live in any historic time period which would it be and why?

Life is quite hard in the age we live and if I travelled back to a previous age it would probably be even harder.  For starters I would not have been able to have my new hip but there again I probably would not have lived as long so I wouldn't need one.  I read somewhere that the best time to live in the UK was from 1906 to 1914, just before that awful war began.  Probably the most interesting period and therefore the one I would most like to live is the Elizabethan age but I would have to be part of the aristocracy and to be very careful or I might lose my head in which case I would speak these words to Lizzie from my severed head held aloft, "Methinks the lady doth protest too much!" LOL. 

Thank you very much for your interview, I

__________________________________________________

Today's Sunday Roast with "Happy Frog And I" is the 136th

in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
______________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour

for all published Roasts. To view press  HERE

Do Not Reverse And The Demise Of The Bubble Cars

I am highly confused - Can anyone help me to grasp this bureaucratic logic?

As I was driving today I spotted this wonderfully baffling sign.

One wonders how the drivers of these cars might leave their parking slots.  The mind boggles!!

"Sorry mate!", they might say, "I don't feel in the mood for driving through walls today or even up them for that matter!  Would you like us to pick up our cars and carry them?"

This reminds me of a thought I had a while ago about the demise of the bubble cars from the 1960s era. 

As you can see the door opened at the front. Apparently some of these cars had no reverse gear, so they would have been able to obey the rules, "Do Not Reverse".  I have a theory that these bubble cars were driven into garages , very often too far and parked right up to the rear garage wall.  Unfortunately the drivers could not get out because the car had no reverse gear.  So I imagine all over there are hundreds of bubble cars trapped in garages complete with their owners.

This might explain that awful smell we detect as we pass some garages.

The Sunday Roast

Anyone For Some Red Hot Jazz?

So this is the lady behind the little froggy avatar appearing on her comments. 

Meet Michigan J. Frog of Looney Toons fame - along with Marvin the martian he's her favourite Loony Toone.  My guest said, "I hesitated a long time between the two of them but despite Marvin's attitude, Michigan won out because being French I'm a frog too. Plus he's a smart ass. He's been following me around for the past 10 or so years." 

And he looks so happy, doesn't he?  . . . . wait! He's breaking into song and dance to . . . . .

All That Jazz

This week's interview is with Lilian, aka Jazz
who writes Haphazard Life.

Thank you for the interview, Lilian

A very warm welcome to you and your followers

I noticed, Lilian, you have a WordPress blog and you used to be on Blogger - want to explain that?

Haphazard Life moved to WordPress because I got sick of Blogger playing with my head. Something was always screwed up, and I just don't have the patience for that kind of crap anymore. Anyone who knows me knows that technology and I have a really messed up relationship. We are the dysfunctional family that lives next door. WP might have less bells and whistles than Blogger (for example look wise) but I haven’t had any problems since I moved, though I still have to get to the blog roll and minor tweaking.

Crumbs! that told 'em - if you're reading, Mr Blogger, you'd better pull your socks up!

Why do you blog?

Why not? Actually I started blogging in a totally random (uh...haphazard?) way. I developed a passion for illustration and graphic/multi media art over the past few years. I stumbled upon Danny Gregory's book, Everyday Matters, Googled him and ended up on his blog. A blog! What the hell was a blog? So I read it, followed links to other blogs, read them and figured, "What the hell, looks fun, I should try this!" - and the rest, as they say, is history. I love to write but have never felt the urge to write a novel or any such thing. For me blogging is simply a public form of the private journals I write, a chronicle I'm not embarrassed for others to see (well not usually embarrassed).

I've been blogging for somewhere around five years now, first at a place called Open Diary (can you believe that name?), then, when I discovered it, at Blogger in October of 2005, and finally, when I got annoyed enough, over to WordPress this August.

Through blogging, I've become more mindful of what's going on around me since I'm always on the lookout for blog fodder. I've also discovered new interests through blogging. For instance, in August I participated in August Break, a challenge where you took one photo a day for the whole month of August. I really got into it, searching out the photos, trying to take something interesting (well, to me at any rate). I've discovered that I really like taking pictures and have bought a book on digital photography and the composition of images and such. It's fascinating, and I really want to learn.

(And no doubt you always take a camera wherever you go - I learned that from David McMahon shortly after I started - and yes, blogging does tend to develop our interest in photography)

What's the story behind your blog name?

There is no story really. I wish! it would be cool to have an interesting story to tell about the name. Alas, it's totally prosaic as stories go. I was looking for a name that reflected that fact that I think life is just a series of random occurrences. I looked in a thesaurus and saw Haphazard. I liked the word. I added Life. The name is basically as haphazard as everything else.

(Interested how we all think of our blog names)

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Shall I butter you up and say being asked for this interview?

(Glad you did LOL!)

Seriously, like pretty much everyone else here, it's the community I've discovered. People I've come to consider as friends. I've actually met several bloggers and loved every one of them. There are also several people who I haven't met yet but who I definitely consider good friends. There's a whole wonderful world out there full of people who seriously rock. People I would never have met without blogging. The inner tube truly has transformed the world into a village. And what's not to love about that?

(It's remarkable how we make 'bloggy' friends - have not actually met anyone yet but I've several I'd like to.  I have been very privileged to get to know many through doing the Sunday Roast)

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Just be yourself, that's all anyone wants to see/read. Tell your story - in my case it's more like rant your story. It's really that simple. At any rate it worked for me. But then I just don't have the energy to invent and keep up a persona.

(Now that's what I have been doing wrong! I should be ranting! LOL)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

I have long admired all those interviewees who actually have an answer to that question. And they all point to these amazing posts. How about XUP's recent post Life of Pee. Yeah, more information than I ever wanted or needed on the subject. But I went to bed that evening a little bit smarter (not that it's information I'll ever actually use, but all things considered it could make for some "interesting" cocktail party talk so it's all good, right?)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I like to think I've written nothing of significance. Unless you want to count the squirrel incident where I run around killing cuddly rodents (seriously though, I'm not an evil bloodthirsty homicidal maniac - at least not most of the time).

Which two blogs would you recommend for roasting?

Two? Just two? I spurn your two... I don't do rules, so:

- The aforementioned XUP. She's a brilliant blogger who writes about the most bizarre things, and her comment section is quite often just as entertaining as the posts.

- Rachel - she's been complaining about a dearth of inspiration recently. This will give her something to blog about.

- Lime - The queen of the smart ass meme. She'd probably really get into this. A funny funny lady is Lime

- Jocelyn of O Mighty Crisis. She has just set off with husband, two children and a great sense of humour to spend a sabbatical year in Turkey. Even if she never makes the roast, she is definitely a must read.

- And finally, last but not least, Mr. Write On Because he's my alter ego. Though he comes across as less of a bitch. And much more polite. Plus I obviously need a token male here.

(Great! what a bunch! I will forgive you for not stopping at two and I will invite them onto the show)

That concludes the formal aspect of the interview but it would be nice to get to know you a little better while you are slowly turning on the roasting spit. So while you are screaming in agony above the open fire here are a few more questions for you.

Pick three things you can't live without.

Red wine, white wine, my liver. Who knows, I might eventually have to do without one or the other.

(Let's hope it's not your liver, but a glass of vino never did anyone any harm)

If we were to make a movie about BlogLand, what would it be and who would you cast in the leading roles?

The Blog - a remake of that 50s classic, The Blob, with a modern twist. A gelatinous alien creature known only as "the BLOG" falls to earth with the intention of taking over the world one computer at a time. Rather than trying to stop this evil alien, intrepid heros, Jazz and Eddie aid and abet the horrifying creature in spreading its domination far and wide, eating peoples' souls as they write their blogs (and play online video games).  In exchange for their services, the infamous J&E are granted the titles of Empress and Emperor of the blogosphere.

(Where've yer been?  I'm already doing it! Call me Emperor, Empress LOL)

If you could live your life again who would you be, and why?

Elizabeth I? Catherine the Great? Elinor of Aquitaine? They all led fascinating lives, but unfortunately, I'm not sure I'd do terribly well at the bathing once a year thing they used to do. If I could live my life again knowing what I know now, I'd probably just be myself. So far, despite the ups and downs that come with making it to almost 50 I've had a good life, a life I'm happy with. If I had to be someone else, I'd just want to be someone with enough sense to be happy with her life.

Alternatively, I'd like to be Genghis Kahn so I could take over the world an wreak havoc elsewhere than strictly in my immediate vicinity. Wreaking havoc at large must be such fun.

(Come on! Make up your mind!  Which one?  If I had to guess, it would be Genghis Kahn . . . am I right?)

You have been given a wonderful talent from above. This causes you to make your mark on humanity and be world famous. In which area would prefer: a best selling novelist, a brilliant artist, a gifted musician, a fantastic singer, a charismatic leader, anything you choose, and why?

But, but but… I don't want to be world famous. That's got to be really annoying. Just imagine the lack of privacy! Can I have fortune instead of fame? But ah, to be a brilliant artist! For someone as obsessed as I am with drawing, graphic arts, street art and just art in general, and who can't draw to save my life it would be amazing to be able to make beautiful art.

(OK you can be a brilliant but unknown artist. I hope you make a fortune.  Actually I agree; I would not like to be famous either)

If you were an ice cream cone, which flavour would you prefer and who would you most want to lick you?

Ben and Jerry Cherry Garcia all the way! best ice cream evah!!! and I'd keep my usual licker Mr. Jazz, cause he rocks, though I don't think Cherry Garcia is his favourite. I'd be Rainforest Crunch because he likes it better. See what I would do for my man? Besides, the more he likes the flavour, the more he licks, eh? ;-)

(Good answer to an extremely daft question)

Describe in one sentence your perfect day.

I get up and realize I've forgotten to go to work but it doesn't bother me one bit because I'm at the cottage where I'll spend the day getting me some nookie with Mr. Jazz, reading, drinking tea and playing with paints and pens in my journal and eating lovely food and having one of Mr. Jazz's evil margaritas while watching an episode of Mad Men or Breaking Bad, or, conceivably, Weeds and eating a lovely dinner that he prepared (because he loves to cook and believe me it's much much better for the both of us that way) and then maybe watching a movie then more nookie then bed - ouf. Damn, I'm tired just writing it.

(Sounds like a typical day doesn't it!)

If you were a fiction writer which one would you be and why?

Stephen King, cause the guy can tell a story (even his not so good books just pull your right in) and he had oodles and oodles and then more oodles of money, which I imagine could be quite entertaining.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment.. ouch. Well, it would probably be the day I walked through the door of a Montreal restaurant that shall remain nameless. Literally. Walked. Through. As in I forgot to open the door and the plate glass crumbled. The waiters rushed to the second door and walked me into the place - probably they were afraid I'd do it again. Not my most stellar moment. I had a headache the next day. Then there's the time I swiped my subway card too quickly and the turnstile didn't turn and I sort of flipped right over it. A lesson in physics. Impetus will take you over... and land you on your face on the other side. I'm an accident waiting to happen - which regularly does. It's actually surprising that I've lived to the ripe old age of 49 with no broken bones.

(You should have been a stunt girl, Lilian. Congrats on no broken bones)

If you awoke to find you had changed gender what would be the first and second things you would do?

Well, seeing as I always have to pee first thing in the morning, I'd pee standing up. Then I'd find someone to have sex with, and if that were out of the question, I'd spank the monkey just to see what it's like on the other side of the fence. I definitely would not shave or put on a suit.

(Don't forget to aim straight or some woman will nag you sooner or later! LOL. Oh and always put the seat down - they don't like that either. As for the rest please remember to shut the door!)

Your turn to ask me a question if you wish.

First off, I want to thank you for inviting me do this. I know it took me way too long to get it done. Mea culpa.

Now, for the question and you can see me laugh as I ask it:

Eddie, if you woke to find you had changed gender, what would be the first and second things you would do? - other than scream of course. Oh, and since I don't follow rules, If you were an ice cream cone which flavour would you be and who would you want licking you?

Now it just had to happen one day and I've been asking for this for some time, haven't I? Crumbs! Can I go back to sleep in hope it's all a nightmare?

Well, here goes! If I changed gender, other than talking a lot more and picking up the phone more often and writing out endless and aimless do lists, after a suitable and respectable period of mourning for a lost dear friend I would have a ceremonial burning of all my Y fronts and my cherished little black book.  Next I would buy some ice cream to console myself  and it would have to be a huge Knicker Bocker Glory.  As to whom I would like to lick me well I am a woman now and therefore I am not able to make up my mind - sorry LOL. Had you asked me as a man I would have a very different answer for you other than I am at the grateful age LOL.

Well, that was fun, Lilian. Thank you for the interview.

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Today's Sunday Roast with Jazz at Haphazard Life is the 135th

in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
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This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour

for all published Roasts. To view press  HERE

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